Posts by Cllr Claire Sully
The dark history at Shepton Mallet Prison during World War II? Was the Dirty Dozen inspired by Shepton Mallet’s gaol and were World War II US servicemen put to death because of their race?
Stephen Harding is an Army veteran, a long-time defence-affairs journalist and his New York Times best-seller “The Last Battle”— the true story of the only time in World War II when American and German troops joined forces and fought together—is currently in film production. Stephen is fascinated by the history of Shepton Mallet prison, researching…
Read More“Plushly renovated prisons make for secure, quirky homes with colourful histories”, but should the bodies stay or go?
The Daily Mail recently trumpeted that: “Plushly renovated prisons make for secure, quirky homes with colourful histories“. The article about Shepton Mallet Prison was discussing the merits of moving into a £125,000 cell turned flat with one or two bedrooms, up to £500,000 for a family — or gang-sized — four-bedroom home. While the idea of…
Read MoreShining a light on a vision for a town
Shepton was shining last night with around 100 lanterns made and paraded with pride from Collett Park to the Market Place. Young and old, long-standing residents and those new to the town reflect what Shepton IS. A creative community spirit clear to us all. A town with rich heritage, historic architecture of sheep farming, cloth…
Read MoreIs Shepton Mallet on the cusp of losing an important piece of its history and a potential heritage and tourism asset?
City & Country ran the third of four public consultations on the future use of Shepton Mallet Prison this week. Once again the foreboding Prison gates were swung open to a queue of people keen to get inside. This is a place that has shut out much of the local community since the 1600s,…
Read MoreHMP Shepton Mallet: Who Cares? Guest blog by Alison Carroll
I am going to start with a confession. I have only lived in the area for 15 years. I have no historic connection to Shepton Mallet. I have no connection to HMP Shepton Mallet. Do I care about the future of the place? Yes, but only in the sense that I care that it is…
Read MoreShepton Mallet Prison – If These Walls Could Speak. Guest blog by Alison Carroll
Much to my surprise the walls of the former HM Prison Shepton Mallet did speak to me on July 14th as I attended the second consultation event organised by City and Country ahead of the prison’s redevelopment. I was taken on a whirlwind tour of the exhibition and prison buildings by a very enthusiastic six…
Read MoreShepton Mallet Prison – Public Consultation Begins
Shepton Mallet prison in Somerset – officially known as HMP Cornhill – has been home to thousands of convicts since opening its doors in 1610. On Wednesday, the current owners – heritage property developers City and Country – opened the prison gates to the public for an entirely different reason. City and Country, along with…
Read MoreCity and Country meet and greet – Shepton Mallet Prison’s Vision one step closer?
They came en masse from City and Country – the new owners of Shepton Mallet Prison – to the town last week. This was a charm offensive on behalf of City and Country rooted in a genuine wish to get to know the local perspective concerning the prison’s future a little better. I was invited…
Read MoreShepton Mallet Prison sale – hopes for the local community following the announcement of new owners
Shepton Mallet Prison was one of seven prison closures announced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in January 2013 to save on running costs. The prison, established as a House of Correction in 1625, to comply with an Act of King James I in 1609, had cost the taxpayer more than £140,000 a year just to keep…
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